Cycling shoe

ABSTRACT

A cycling shoe comprising: a sole member which defines a heel portion, an arch portion, a mid-sole portion and a toe portion, wherein the heel portion and the toe portion are formed from a first leather material, wherein the arch portion comprises a second material, and wherein the second material is non-leather, non-slip and substantially non-eroding.

The present invention relates to cycling shoes. In particularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates to cycling shoes which are suitable for walking and/or appropriate when wearing formal clothing.

Cycling is popular for many reasons. One of these is that it is a more environmentally friendly mode of transport which promotes fitness, and many people travel by bicycle to and from work. However, this can be problematic for people who wear more formal clothing at work.

In particular, conventional formal shoes with a leather sole are not appropriate for cycling. For normal use, such shoes are popular as the leather sole increases comfort and is breathable. A leather material is also regarded to be a higher quality material than rubber soles. However, the leather material has a lack of grip, particularly in wet conditions, which can cause slipping of the shoe on the pedals. This presents a risk of injury, such as impact to the rider's ankle or from the imbalance cause by slipping. Also, the leather material will erode away with repeated contact with the bicycle pedals. Just as heels erode over time, the portion of the shoe in contact with the pedals will erode much faster.

Purpose built cycling shoes exist but these are typically unsuitable for normal walking or inappropriate for wearing with formal clothing. Consequently, many riders have to store and transport a second pair of shoes. This is inconvenient and storage space on a bicycle is limited.

Various forms of reflective clothing are available for cyclists. However, at least one study has found that fluorescent vests were not a significant improvement on black clothing at night. It concluded that reflective knee and ankle stripes were far more effective because the up-and-down motion from pedalling can catch the eye of motorists (and other road users including pedestrians wishing to cross the road) better than a large reflective stripe across the back, which can appear stationary. The present inventor has devised the idea of providing reflective portions on a cycling shoe.

It is desirable to provide a cycling shoe which maintains the desirable features of a conventional shoe but which includes desirable features for cycling, such as greater durability (less material erosion), greater grip, and light reflective portions.

It has been recognized by the inventor that cyclists typically only contact the pedal using an arch portion or mid-sole portion of their shoe. Consequently, only these portions of the sole need to have the necessary durability, rigidity and grip.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a cycling shoe comprising:

-   -   a sole member which defines a heel portion, an arch portion, a         mid-sole portion and a toe portion,     -   wherein the heel portion and the toe portion are formed from a         first leather material,     -   and wherein the arch portion comprises a second material,     -   wherein the second material is non-leather, non-slip and         substantially non-eroding.

The mid-sole portion may comprise the second material.

By providing a cycling shoe which has a heel portion and a toe portion formed from leather, the shoe is more comfortable and breathable and, as these are the more visible portions of the sole, the shoe still maintains the image of higher quality.

The sole member may be formed from one or more layers of leather material. The sole member may include a recess provided at the arch portion. The recess may extend into the mid-sole portion.

The recess may be formed by routing out portions of the leather material.

The cycling shoe may include an insert member provided within the recess and having at least an outer surface formed from the second material. The insert may be formed from the second material.

The recess may extend in a lateral direction between both sides of the cycling shoe. Alternatively, the recess may terminate before each side of the shoe. In such as case, the recess and insert member will be less visible.

The outer surface of the insert member may be flush with an outer surface of the heel portion and toe portion. Alternatively, the outer surface of the insert member may be at a greater height than the outer surface of the heel portion and toe portion such that it does not make contact with the ground during walking.

Alternatively, the arch portion may extend upwards such that it does not make contact with the ground during walking. The cycling shoe may be a ladies high heeled shoe.

In an alternative embodiment, the arch portion may include an insert member formed from the second material. The insert member may comprise a bridge member that extends from the arch portion to the heel portion. The bridge member may extend to a substantially vertical wall of the heel portion.

In embodiments in which the arch portion is not in contact with the ground, the arch portion is less vulnerable to wear.

The second material may be a rigid material.

The second material may comprise a polyurethane material. The second material may comprise a thermoplastic polyurethane (TAU) material. Alternatively, the second material may comprise a rubber material.

The insert member may be formed by injecting a predetermined quantity of hot second material into a could to provide, when cooled, a planar material having the desired thickness.

The insert member may be formed by cutting an area of the planar material, the area corresponding to the area of the recess.

The insert member may be attached to the sole within the recess using an adhesive. Alternative attachment means may be used.

The outer surface of the insert member may be treated to form gripping means. The treating may comprise laser engraving or the like. Alternative treating means may be used. Alternatively, the gripping means may be formed using a profile of the could.

The cycling shoe may include one or more light reflective or light emitting portions.

A portion may be provided at a rear facing surface of the shoe. Alternatively or in addition, a portion may be provided at a front facing surface of the shoe.

The cycling shoe may comprise an upper member extending upwards from the sole member. One or more portions may be provided at the upper member.

The upper member may include one or more flaps which are foldable from a first configuration to a second configuration. A portion may be provided at or near the flap such that the portion is concealed when the flap is at the first configuration and visible when the flap is at the second configuration.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of forming a cycling shoe, the method comprising:

-   -   providing a sole member which defines a heel portion, an arch         portion, a mid-sole portion and a toe portion;     -   forming the heel portion and the toe portion from a leather         material; and     -   forming the arch portion from a second material,     -   wherein the second material is non-leather, non-slip and         substantially non-eroding.

The method may include forming the mid-sole portion from the second material.

The method may include forming the sole member from one or more layers of leather material. The method may include providing the sole member with a recess provided at the arch portion. The recess may extend into the mid-sole portion.

The method may include forming the recess by routing out portions of the leather material.

The method may include providing an insert member within the recess, the insert member having an outer surface formed from the second material.

The method may include configuring the outer surface of the insert member to be flush with an outer surface of the heel portion and toe portion. Alternatively, the method may include configuring the outer surface of the insert member to be at a greater height than the outer surface of the heel portion and toe portion such that it does not make contact with the ground during walking.

Alternatively, the method may include extending the arch portion upwards such that it does not make contact with the ground during walking.

The second material may comprise a polyurethane material. The second material may comprise a thermoplastic polyurethane (TAU) material. Alternatively, the second material may comprise a rubber material.

The method may include injecting a predetermined quantity of hot second material into a could to provide, when cooled, a planar material having the desired thickness.

The method may include cutting an area of the planar material, the area corresponding to the area of the recess.

The method may include attaching the insert member to the sole within the recess using an adhesive.

The method may include treating the outer surface of the insert member to form gripping means.

The method may include providing the cycling shoe with one or more light reflective or light emitting portions. A portion may be provided at a rear facing surface of the shoe. Alternatively or in addition, a portion may be provided at a front facing surface of the shoe.

The cycling shoe may comprise an upper member extending upwards from the sole member and the method may include providing one or more portions at the upper member.

The method may include providing the upper member with one or more flaps which are foldable from a first configuration to a second configuration. The method may include providing a portion at or near the flap such that the portion is concealed when the flap is at the first configuration and visible when the flap is at the second configuration.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a cycling shoe;

FIG. 2 is a side view of a second embodiment of a cycling shoe;

FIG. 3 is a side view of a third embodiment of a cycling shoe;

FIG. 4 is a side view of a fourth embodiment of a cycling shoe; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of a cycling shoe with flaps shown at (a) a first configuration and (b) a second configuration.

FIG. 1 shows a cycling shoe 10. The shoe 10 comprises a sole 12 which defines a heel portion 20, an arch portion 22, a mid-sole portion 24 and a toe portion 26. In this embodiment, the heel portion 20, the mid-sole portion 24 and the toe portion 26 are formed from a leather material. The arch portion 22 is formed using a second material, in this case a thermoplastic polyurethane (TAU) material.

Therefore, the cycling shoe 10 has portions formed from leather and is more comfortable and breathable. Also, the shoe 10 maintains the image of higher quality. However, the arch portion 22 is formed from a more durable material with less slippage when pedalling. The cyclist can pedal the bicycle by contacting the pedals using the arch portion 22 of the shoe 10.

The sole 12 is formed from a number of layers of leather material. A recess 30 in the sole 12 is formed by routing out portions of the leather material. The recess 30 is located at the arch portion 22. An insert 32 formed from the second material is fitted within the recess 30.

It should be noted that, since the insert 32 is provided only at the arch portion 22, it is not in contact with the ground during walking. The insert 32 will therefore be less vulnerable to wear.

The insert 32 is formed by injecting a predetermined quantity of hot second material into a could. Once cooled, the second material is planar and has the desired thickness. An area of the planar material is then cut out, the area corresponding to the area of the recess 30. The insert 32 is then attached to the sole 12 within the recess 30 using an adhesive. The outer surface of the insert 32 is then treated using laser engraving to form gripping means.

FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of the shoe 10 and like features are given like reference numbers.

In this embodiment, the recess 30 and insert 32 extend further forward and into the mid-sole portion 24. This allows a rider to pedal by contacting the pedals using a more forward part of the foot. However, the majority of the insert 32 is still not in contact with the ground during walking.

FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment of the shoe 10 and like features are given like reference numbers.

In this embodiment, the shoe 10 is of the flat soled variety. The outer surface of the insert 32 is therefore flush with the outer surface of the heel portion 20 and toe portion 26.

FIG. 4 shows a fourth embodiment of the shoe 10 and like features are given like reference numbers.

In this embodiment, the shoe 10 is a ladies high heeled shoe. Therefore, the arch portion 22 extends further rearwards and upwards until it meets a smaller heel portion 20. The arch portion 22 does not make contact with the ground during walking. With this embodiment, it is even possible to wear high heeled shoes during cycling.

In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the arch portion 22 can include a bridge member formed from the second material. The bridge member can extend from the arch portion 22 to a substantially vertical wall of the heel portion 20.

FIG. 5 shows a fifth embodiment of the shoe 10 and like features are given like reference numbers.

The cycling shoe 10 is similar to previous embodiments but includes light reflective portions 40 on an upper part 13 of the shoe 10. Portions 40 are provided at a rear facing surface 14 and a front facing surface 16 of the shoe 10.

The upper part 13 of the shoe 10 includes flaps 42 which are foldable about a fold line 44 from a first configuration (shown in FIG. 5(a)) to a second configuration (shown in FIG. 5(b)). Attachment means, such as Velcro™, can be provided on the flaps 42 and a corresponding area of the upper part 13 to maintain the flaps in the desired configuration.

Light reflective portions 40 are provided on a surface of each flap 42. Other light reflective portions are provided adjacent the fold line 44 of each flap 42. The flaps 42 are dimensioned so that they are concealed when the flap 42 is at the first configuration and visible when the flap 42 is at the second configuration.

When not cycling, a user can keep the flaps 42 at the first configuration. In this configuration, the flaps 42 simply appear as a part of the design/style of the shoe 10. When about to cycle in dark conditions, the user can easily fold the flaps 42 to the second configuration. The light reflective portions 40 are now visible. During cycling, each shoe 10 has the same rotational movement as the pedals which helps to attract the attention of motorists and other road users.

Various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. 

1. A cycling shoe comprising: a sole member which defines a heel portion, an arch portion, a mid-sole portion and a toe portion, wherein the heel portion and the toe portion are formed from a first leather material, wherein the arch portion comprises a second material, and wherein the second material is non-leather, non-slip and substantially non- eroding.
 2. A cycling shoe as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mid-sole portion comprises the second material.
 3. (canceled)
 4. A cycling shoe as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sole member includes a recess provided at the arch portion.
 5. A cycling shoe as claimed in claim 4, wherein the recess extends into the mid-sole portion.
 6. (canceled)
 7. A cycling shoe as claimed in claim 4, wherein the cycling shoe includes an insert member provided within the recess and having at least an outer surface formed from the second material.
 8. (canceled)
 9. A cycling shoe as claimed in claim 4, wherein the recess extends in a lateral direction between both sides of the cycling shoe.
 10. A cycling shoe as claimed in claim 7, wherein the outer surface of the insert member is flush with an outer surface of the heel portion and toe portion.
 11. A cycling shoe as claimed in claim 7, wherein the outer surface of the insert member is at a greater height than the outer surface of the heel portion and toe portion such that it does not make contact with the ground during walking.
 12. A cycling shoe as claimed in claim 1, wherein the arch portion extends upwards such that it does not make contact with the ground during walking.
 13. A cycling shoe as claimed in claim 12, wherein the cycling shoe is a ladies high heeled shoe.
 14. A cycling shoe as claimed in claim 1, wherein the arch portion includes an insert member formed from the second material, the insert member comprising a bridge member that extends from the arch portion to the heel portion.
 15. (canceled)
 16. A cycling shoe as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second material is a rigid material.
 17. A cycling shoe as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second material comprises a polyurethane material, a thermoplastic polyurethane (TAU) material, or a rubber material. 18-22. (canceled)
 23. A cycling shoe as claimed in claim 7, wherein the outer surface of the insert member may be treated to form gripping means.
 24. A cycling shoe as claimed in claim 1, including one or more light reflective or light emitting portions.
 25. A cycling shoe as claimed in claim 24, wherein a portion is provided at a rear facing surface of the shoe.
 26. A cycling shoe as claimed in claim 24, wherein a portion is provided at a front facing surface of the shoe.
 27. A cycling shoe as claimed in claim 24, wherein the cycling shoe comprises an upper member extending upwards from the sole member, and wherein one or more portions are provided at the upper member.
 28. A cycling shoe as claimed in claim 27, wherein the upper member includes one or more flaps which are foldable from a first configuration to a second configuration.
 29. A cycling shoe as claimed in claim 28, wherein a portion is provided at or near the flap such that the portion is concealed when the flap is at the first configuration and visible when the flap is at the second configuration.
 30. A method of forming a cycling shoe, the method comprising: providing a sole member which defines a heel portion, an arch portion, a mid-sole portion and a toe portion; forming the heel portion and the toe portion from a leather material; and forming the arch portion from a second material, wherein the second material is non-leather, non-slip and substantially non-eroding. 31-42. (canceled) 